On October 14, federal immigration agents deployed tear gas in the East Side neighborhood of Chicago, affecting both protesters and police officers, including Deputy Chief Dan O’Connor, who had informed the agents that his officers lacked gas masks. The incident occurred after residents confronted the agents following a car crash during an attempted arrest. Despite the presence of local police, the federal agents released tear gas and other riot-control chemicals, leading to multiple individuals becoming ill.

Video footage captured the moments leading up to the gas deployment, showing police supervisors attempting to mediate between the federal agents and the crowd. The situation escalated when an agent rolled a gas canister into the area, resulting in widespread exposure to the chemical irritants.

This incident is part of a broader pattern of protests against federal immigration enforcement in Chicago, where residents have mobilized to oppose the actions of agents who often operate in unmarked vehicles and without clear identification. In a previous incident in Brighton Park, federal agents also used gas against demonstrators following a shooting involving U.S. Border Patrol agents.

The use of tear gas by federal agents has drawn legal scrutiny, with a federal judge stating that such actions can be considered excessive and have been described as shocking. The judge has mandated that federal agents refrain from using riot-control weapons against peaceful protesters unless there is an immediate threat, and has required prior warnings before any such deployment.

The Chicago Police Department has faced criticism for its handling of these situations, including allegations of confusion regarding orders given to officers during protests. The department has withheld video evidence from these incidents, citing ongoing investigations, which has raised concerns about transparency and accountability in law enforcement practices.